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How long do solar panels last, and what does the warranty cover?

Product vs performance warranties, what degradation data says, and the fine print that changes a comparison.

Updated October 2026By SolarNiverse

Two warranties, two different promises

A product warranty covers defects in the panel itself (materials and workmanship). A performance warranty guarantees a minimum power output over time. They often run for different lengths, and each has conditions. Neither is a measurement of how your panels will age: both are contractual limits.

A warranty ending is not the day a panel stops working. REC, for example, still guarantees at least 92% of nameplate power at year 25, and panels typically keep producing beyond that.

How fast do panels actually degrade?

A National Renewable Energy Laboratory review of nearly 2,000 published degradation rates (Jordan and Kurtz, 2012) found a median of about 0.5% per year. That is a historical finding across older module types, not a prediction for any current TOPCon, HJT or back-contact product. Treat 0.5% a year as a sensible planning figure and the warranty curve as the worst case the maker will stand behind.

Warranty examples from datasheets

PanelProductPerformanceWarranted output
Mission PERC 108HCsee datasheet25 years2% loss in year 1, then 0.55%/yr; 84.8% at year 25
Canadian Solar TOPHiKu6 (sampled)varies by region and use30 years1% in year 1, then 0.4%/yr
Qcells Q.TRON25 years25 yearsat least 90.58% at year 25
REC Alpha Pure-RX20 years (extendable via ProTrust)25 years0.25%/yr; at least 92% at year 25
Maxeon (current Rev. G, May 1, 2026)40 years40 yearsCurrent curve UNVERIFIED
First Solar Series 6 Plus bifacial12 years30 years0.3%/yr
Renogy 100 W flexible5 years5 years90% at year 5
EcoFlow NextGen portable bifacial12 monthsnone foundNo long-term guarantee verified

The arithmetic on the Mission row checks out: 2% plus 24 years at 0.55% is 15.2%, leaving 84.8%. Note how the numbers differ in kind. A 25-year warranty that ends at 84.8% is a weaker promise than one that ends at 92%, even though both say "25 years". We did not find the full current Maxeon degradation curve, so we do not state one, and an older warranty document should not be assumed to apply.

Read the fine print

  • Extended coverage has conditions. Silfab's SIL-440 QD datasheet offers extended 25-year product coverage subject to registration conditions, with 30-year performance coverage. REC's ProTrust extension and labor coverage depend on a certified installer and program terms. A comparison that just says "25 years" loses these conditions.
  • Labor is often not included. A replacement panel is not the same as someone paying to remove and reinstall it.
  • Who is the warranty-giver? Maxeon states that legacy SunPower support covers only qualifying panels installed before August 5, 2024 and self-registered before December 31, 2024. A historical brand name is not a current obligation.
  • The installer matters as much as the panel. If the company that installed your system disappears, a manufacturer's warranty may still exist but be harder to use. Ask who handles claims, and keep your serial numbers and paperwork.

Independent testing: read it correctly

Kiwa PVEL's 2026 Module Reliability Scorecard named 43 Top Performer manufacturers, and reported that 87% of tested manufacturers had at least one failure in its qualification program; 45% had at least one major delamination failure, and a new UV-induced degradation test was added. The 87% is not a household failure rate: it is the share of tested manufacturers with at least one failure on any test. Top Performer status applies to a tested model and bill of materials for a given test, not to everything with that brand name. So ask your installer for the exact module model and bill of materials, and check it against the published results.

Quick answers

How long do solar panels last?

Warranties commonly run 25 to 30 years for performance, and a long-running review found a median degradation of about 0.5% a year. Panels often keep producing after the warranty ends, at a lower output.

What is the difference between a product and a performance warranty?

A product warranty covers defects in the panel; a performance warranty guarantees a minimum power output over time. They can have different lengths and conditions.

Does the warranty cover removal and reinstallation?

Often not. Labor coverage is separate and conditional, so ask for it in writing.

Does 87% of manufacturers failing mean most panels are bad?

No. It means 87% of tested manufacturers had at least one failure on at least one test. Check the specific model and bill of materials.

Sources & further reading (checked October 2, 2026; manufacturer figures are rated or warranted values, not measured field results)